City and Court Officials Break Ground for New 40th District Court

St. Clair Shores elected officials, department heads, contractors and the 40th District Court judges gathered Friday to break ground for the new court building.

Construction crews completed demolition this week of the 9,000-square-foot facility that was originally built as a public works building in the late 1930s, and was renovated into a court facility in the 1970s.

As officials gathered for the ceremonial event, crews continued site preparation for the 15,500-square-foot building that would address a number of current deficiencies and make it ADA compliant, improve building safety and the flow of prisoners and personnel through the building.

"I am excited for the citizens of St. Clair Shores and also for all the users of the court ,especially for the victims of crime, because they now will be safer and cases will be adjudicated more effectively and efficientently," said Judge Joseph Oster, whose father also served as a 40th District Court judge from 1970-1996.

The proposed building would be funded through $1.8 million currently in the court building fund, which has been collected through a $5 fee from civil infractions since the late 1990s.

The remaining $1.7 million balance of the costs of the building would come from the sale of bonds, which were sold Feb. 26 at 2.99 percent, which was just below the 3 percent rates originally projected.

"Our court is being built at a small percentage of what the other courts (cost)," said 40th District Court Chief Judge Mark A. Fratarcangeli. "The difference between the amount of money we are spending on our court, and the other courts, is staggering."

The new court building is expected to be completed in about nine months.

When asked if there were any tears shed over the demolition, Judge Oster said it was momentary.

"The last day was touching," he said. "But after that, once I saw the bulldozers come, I am like let's move on. It's more about the work than the building."